The Harare City Council chairman was allocated land for US$55,000 which was actually worth US$146,000, the City of Harare Finance Commission of Inquiry has heard.
The land allocation process was marred by nepotism, nepotism, and corruption. City Business Manager Zvenica Chawatama Chawatama got a $55,000 land deal while the embattled city clerk got a $55,000 land deal. Hosiah Chisango received a suite worth US$50,000.
Housing, Health, Education and Licensing Committee Chairman Blessing Moroiwa who appeared before the committee last week, did his best to explain land allocation when he was questioned on the issues, Newsday reported.
“I’m not sure how the decision was made but on the commercial side, they give a list of people they have given leases to but they don’t give us details of the housing list. It could be a misnomer but as per our housing policy, there is no way to say we have to get On the lands that have been allocated, the names of the beneficiaries will be extracted from the housing list.”
“May I draw your attention, sir, to the fact that since I became housing chief, we have seen some anomalies in the regularization process. These are some of the things we are trying to correct and I want you to know that, to date, a very large percentage of applicants have not been living in the red lines.
“Yes, but the bulk now relates to what are known as land barons. I don’t want to put it that way because here I have a form that explains the categories of land barons and those who were cooperatives and also the titles and properties.
